What does hostel mean?
A hostel is an establishment that provides accommodation, usually for people traveling on a limited budget. Its name is especially associated with shared bedrooms, communal kitchens and lounges, and a relatively informal atmosphere, although hostels vary greatly in size and quality and some provide private rooms. The word may also be used for student or institutional residences, such as a university hostel. In everyday British and American English, it often contrasts with a hotel: a hostel emphasizes inexpensive, communal accommodation, while a hotel usually suggests private rooms and more extensive services. The older phrase youth hostel is still familiar and often appears in the names of established organizations, though individual establishments increasingly use the shorter term. Hostel is also related in origin to hotel, hospital, hospitality, and hospitable, reflecting a shared history of accommodation and welcoming guests.
nounAn establishment that provides lodging, typically with shared bedrooms and communal facilities, for travelers on a limited budget. The word can also refer more broadly to an inn, student residence, or other place offering inexpensive accommodation.
- An establishment providing lodging, typically in shared bedrooms and with communal facilities, especially for travelers on a limited budget.
- A building or institution that provides residential accommodation, such as a student hostel.
"We booked a bunk in a hostel near the railway station."
"We booked a bunk in a hostel near the railway station."
"The university assigned first-year students to a hostel on the edge of campus."
The regular plural is hostels, used for multiple establishments or instances of accommodation.
"The city has several hostels near the historic center."
Hostel, hospital, and hotel are linguistic relatives, all reflecting the ancient idea of welcoming a guest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hostel come from?
English hostel was borrowed from French hostel, which came from medieval Latin hospitale, meaning an inn or lodging place. The Latin word was associated with hospes, meaning a guest or host. The modern term became closely associated with the youth-hostel movement, which organized inexpensive lodging and travel opportunities for young people in early twentieth-century Europe.
Related word forms
How hostel is actually used
Neutral in register and common in both British and American English. British English generally uses the spellings hostelling and hosteller, while American English more often uses hosteling and hosteler. The older expression youth hostel remains widely understood, although many establishments now use hostel alone.
Easily confused with hostel
A hostel generally provides shared rooms and communal facilities, whereas a hotel usually offers private rooms and a wider range of services.